Latest from New Zealand

Roads cut off, homes evacuated in the south as Auckland hit by thunderstorms

Severe weather hits as school holidays begin, with evacuations in Marlborough.

'A win for Tarawera': Sewerage connection cost lowered to $36k per household

An additional $4.685m has been committed to the scheme by the Government and two councils.

Man remanded in custody after alleged road-rage knife incident

A man was arrested for alleged road rage in Tauranga last month.

Moana Pasifika's funder under scrutiny in independent review of Whānau Ora funds

'We must safeguard taxpayers’ money,' Te Puni Kōkiri's chief executive says.

Auckland school named after Captain Cook scrubs mention of explorer for Māori name

A former pupil, ex-Act politician Stephen Berry, says school 'should focus on education'.

Where did 8000 passengers go? The latest forecasts for $5.5b City Rail Link

The initial capacity is lower than earlier forecasts of 27,000 passengers.

Marlborough residents warned 'be ready to evacuate'

Residents in a small Marlborough town have been warned to "be ready to evacuate" after a stopbank became unstable.

Men caught with 180 times legal limit of pāua in Wellington - one of the biggest illegal hauls

The amount of pāua was about $25,000-worth, Fisheries says.

Weather warnings in place and pills being sold in fake blister packs | NZ Herald Afternoon Update

Weather warnings remain, pills being sold in fake blister packs and Te Pāti Māori expected to campaign hard.

Amelia Marsden wins Nelson Young Grower title

Amelia Marsden is keen for other young people to consider a career in horticulture.

Shane Jones vs an endangered moth on The Country

Shane Jones, Kendall Langston, Chris Brandolino, Rachel Shearer, Stu Duncan and Stu Loe.

Former MP Brendan Horan aims for Whakatāne council seat

He was a list MP for NZ First and cleared of allegations in 2016.

Fatal Clendon Park chase victims knew driver accused of shoving them off road - police

A 56-year-old man has charged with dangerous driving causing death.

Resident in Auckland's West Harbour describes reported tornado

"lt just came and [was] gone within 30 seconds." Video / Jason Dorday

'Felt like a cyclone': Residents reel as possible tornado hits West Harbour

Trees fell on homes as 100km/h winds ripped through the area.

Minister ditches agency's Māori name, forming new group instead of ‘Māori-only one’

She wants the group to represent more than just Māori.

Evacuations under way as South Island lashed by heavy rain and flood threats

A state of emergency has been declared in Nelson and Tasman as rain batters the region.

Youth charged with burglary after 35 bottles of alcohol, 17 e-tablets taken from restaurant

Police arrested and charged the young person on Thursday.